How to improve your home’s EPC rating
What is an EPC rating?
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are important as they inform homeowners the efficiency level of their property. Ratings range from A to G and are determined based on the amount of energy used in your home.
If you’re selling, leasing or renting your property, it’s a legal requirement to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An EPC rates a property's overall energy efficiency. The rating ranges from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is valid for 10 years. It takes into consideration if you have any insulation in your property, the efficiency of your boiler, if you have low energy lighting and more.
How do I find my EPC rating?
EPC certificates are typically stored and provided by homeowners. However, if you are a tenant in a property, the document may be digitally provided so that you are also aware of the efficiency rating.
Also, another way to find out the efficiency of your home is by searching via postcode on the GOV.uk site.
What is a good rating?
In terms of ratings, the homes with better energy efficiency will sit either in the A section (most efficient) or the B. On the other hand, the least efficient homes will be in the F and G sections.
How to calculate EPC rating?
EPC is calculated via a Standard Assessment Method (SAM). The Standard Assessment Method will see an established assessor look at different home factors, which includes:
- House size, shape, quality, age and materials.
- Chimneys or open flues
- Type of window glazing and insulation.
- The boiler type and age.
- If you have a heating control or thermostat.
- Type of lighting including LED or low energy bulbs.
- Renewable energy sources.
The quality of these factors will determine the EPC rating of your home.
How long is an EPC valid for?
EPC ratings are a legal requirement if you are looking to sell, lease or rent your property. Certificates only need updating once every 10 years. If you’re renting your property, it is the responsibility of the landlord to obtain an EPC.
However, you may want to have your EPC rating reviewed and updated if you have had any improvements that have improved the efficiency of your home..
How to improve your rating
To improve your EPC rating, you need to upgrade the efficiency of your home. There are numerous ways in which you can enhance home efficiency:
Boilers
Your boiler is a big contributing factor to your EPC rating. Older boilers tend to be less efficient and use more energy to heat your home. To increase efficiency and prevent any future repairs from occurring, it’s essential to keep on top of your annual boiler service and any maintenance.
You should have your boiler serviced yearly by a qualified heating engineer to ensure it operates at peak efficiency.
A well-maintained boiler can last up to 15 years. If you are considering replacing your boiler, read our guide to boiler replacements.
If you have an old boiler with a pilot light or have problems with your current heating system, it might be time to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model. Doing this will also help improve your EPC rating.
Our Glow-worm boilers have an ErP rating of ‘A’, making them highly efficient. You can further improve the efficiency of your home by pairing them with one of our controls and thermostats. Our range of controls and thermostats allow you to take control of your energy usage.
Home Insulation
Adding insulation around your home is key to improving your EPC rating.
The most important factor in determining how well insulation will work in your home is the R-value. The R-value is a measure of an insulation material's ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.
We recommend installing insulation in the summer as the weather is better for carrying out any building work, and it will prepare you for the winter months when temperatures drop.
Insulation in the following areas of your house can be beneficial:
- Loft
- Wall (internal, external, cavity)
- Floor
Loft insulation
Loft insulation is easy to install and is a easy way of improving your EPC. It can be made of fibreglass, rock wool, or recycled paper products. In order to achieve maximum thermal performance, it is important to ensure that the insulation is the correct thickness for the depth of the joist space in your loft.
Another option for loft insulation is loose-fill insulation, which is made of fibreglass, cellulose, or mineral wool. This type of insulation is more effective in spaces with irregular shapes or where there are obstacles, such as pipes or ductwork.
Window upgrades
Upgrading your existing windows to high-performance glazing (double/triple has multiple benefits. As well as improving your EPC rating, it reduces the amount of heat loss through draughts around the windows and will insulate your home from noise outside.
When upgrading your windows, it is important to buy ones that have a U-value. U-values measure how much heat is lost through material. Therefore, the lower the U-value the more efficient your windows are.
Solar panels
Adding solar panels to your home is a significant change, and there are a few things to consider before installation, such as available space, cost, and the sort of roof you have.
Installing solar panels improves your EPC rating as they are an effective renewable method of providing electricity to your home.
Energy efficient lights
Switching to low-energy lighting will help you save on energy bills. The two main energy-efficient light bulb types available are light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Both are better than traditional incandescent bulbs, but LEDs are longer lasting and are a more energy-efficient option.
Benefits of improving your home EPC rating
By 2035, the UK government has set out an ambition to have all homes EPC ‘C’ rated in its Net Zero Strategy. With this in mind, people are looking for methods to help improve their home’s EPC rating.
Regardless of what type of property you live in, there are multiple benefits of improving your home's EPC rating to help your home be more efficient.
Want to find out more?
Whichever options you decide on, make sure to choose the most cost effective and that will provide you a more comfortable home. Read our home energy saving tips for lower bills article for more assistance in saving more money through energy saving measures.